Abundances Glenn Tucker Poly Fold
Currently, there are many young jazz
musicians in Detroit making a name for themselves. Detroit has a rich jazz
tradition, and the young players are doing an admirable job of keeping that
tradition going. My personal favorite is pianist Glenn Tucker, a graduate of
the University of Michigan. To date, Tucker has three terrific albums
available, the newest being “Abundances”. The album is comprised of nine originals
and one oldie but goodie, and the album shows Tucker has grown considerably as
a session leader and a composer. You can hear a lot of history in his playing,
and he swings harder than a hypnotist timepiece. Tucker is in sound company
with bassist Marion Hayden and drummer George Davidson.
Compassion Dave Liebman and Joe Lovano Resonance
Records
Dave Liebman and Joe Lovano are two of the
greatest saxophonist working these days. For “Compassion,” a wonderful sort of
love letter if you will to the iconic saxophonist John Coltrane, Liebman and
Lovano pooled their chops. “Compassion” is one of the finest Coltrane tribute album
ever recorded. Liebman and Lovano appeared to be possessed by Coltrane’s spirit
throughout this session, blowing new life into some of Coltrane’s signature tunes
such as “Equinox,” “Reverend King,” and “Central Park West/Dear Lord.
Sean Jones Live From Jazz at
the Bistro Sean Jones Mack Avenue Records
This recording is trumpeter Sean Jones’
first live date, and it shows Jones and his longstanding band drummer Obed Calvarie, saxophonist Brian Hogans, pianist Orrin
Evans, and bassist Luques Curtis in excellent form. For my money, this is the
tightest unit in jazz currently. If you demand proof check out “Art’s Variable,”
“The Ungentrified Blues,” and “BJ’s Tune”.
If you aren’t convinced after listening to those cuts, something might be wrong
with your ears.
Dreams and Daggers Cecile McLorin Salvant Mack Avenue
Record
Wonder if jazz vocalist Cecile McLorin
Salvant has set some sort of jazz record. She’s put out three albums in her
still young career and each has been nominated for a Grammy. The latest is “Dreams
and Daggers,” a perfectly wrought live two-disc recording with Salvant
alternating between two award-winning jazz
pianists her longstanding musical director Aaron Diehl and Sullivan Fortner.
This is a flawless outing with Salvant’s voice covering you like a warm blanket
on each track.
Radio Flyer JD Allen Savant Records
Tenor saxophonist JD Allen has been on
a roll populating the planet with a new release yearly for the past decade.
Allen new offspring is a fine album of original compositions “Radio Flyer”.
Allen like to stick with what works running with bassist Gregg August and
drummer Rudy Royston. Here Allen added guitarist Liberty Ellman. In the past,
when Allen has included a new player to the mix, the player seemed out of
place. On “Radio Flyer, “however, Ellman fits comfortably. It appears
throughout this excellent date Allen made
the album as a showcase for Ellman’s chops.
Bringin' it Christian McBride Big Band Mack Avenue Records
At some point soon, a conversation
should be had if jazz bassist Christian McBride owns the best jazz big band
around. Some industry insiders think so because “Bringin’ It “has garnered the
big band its second Grammy nod. That aside, “Bringin’ It” is a wonderful album
with the band getting buck ass wild on numbers such as “Thermo,” “Full House,” “Mr.
Bojangles,” and “Used ‘Ta Could”.
That Feelin’ Mike Ledonne the Groover Quartet with
Vincent Herring Savant Records
It’s almost impossible to make less
than an extraordinary album with a band that includes saxophonist Eric
Alexander, drummer Joe Farnsworth, guitarist Peter Bernstein, and with the
incomparable organist Mike Ledonne in the driver’s seat. This is one of those
grooving high jazz albums that will give your spirit goosebumps. 
In the Moment Johnny O’Neal
Smoke Session Records
Jazz pianist Johnny O’Neal is a star on New York’s jazz scene, and at this stage of his hall of fame career, O’Neal is making some of his best
music. “In the Moment” is his new masterwork and it proves track after track his
chops are still in mint condition. The album has a whopping 16 tracks with O’Neal
singing and swinging like hell, and there’s some fine trumpet work by the great
Roy Hargrove.
To Love and Be Loved Harold Mabern Smoke Session Records
At 81 jazz pianist, Harold Mabern still plays the piano as if he has four
hands. “To Love and Be Loved” is the kind of no-holds-barred jazz album Mabern
has been making for decades. Each number on the album is infused with Mabern’s youthful
exuberance. And some of his sidemen bassist Nat Reeves, trumpeter Freddie
Hendrix, and saxophonist Eric Alexander behave as if they’re happy as fuck to
be swinging with the old guy.
Cerulean Canvas Sherman Irby & Momentum Black
Warrior Records
Saxophonist Sherman Irby is best known
as the lead alto chair for the famed Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. Sherman moonlights
as a session leader, and Irby has eight stellar jazz albums on the market. Irby’s
newest “Cerulean Canvas” may rank among his finest, showing Irby is in the same
league as alto greats such as Johnny Hodges and Cannonball Adderley. There’s
some wonderful playing by pianist Eric Reed and trumpeter Wynton Marsalis. The
cuts on “Cerulean Canvas” most likely to stick to your ribs are “Blues for
Poppa Reed,” John Bishop Blues,” and “Smile Please”.
